With nearly 74 percent of the vote in favor of the special tax, Athens will receive much needed improvements to its transportation infrastructure at the cost of a 1 percent increase to the local sales tax for the next five years, bringing the total local sales tax to 8 percent.

The tax is expected to raise over $100 million and will go to fund 19 projects in Athens-Clarke County.

Some of the projects on the docket include: $25.6 million set aside for pavement rehabilitation, $16.7 million for the Firefly Trail extension that will eventually connect Athens to Union Point, Georgia, and $10 million to expand and connect the Oconee Rivers Greenway.

“This is our opportunity to catch up with other communities across Georgia, spur economic development, boost quality of life, improve access to healthy trails, and connect neighborhoods to each other and to other amenities,” according to Complete Street Athens, an advocacy organization working to ensure equitable transportation choices.

In addition, the referendum has also budgeted another $16 million for pedestrian and bicycle improvements to make transportation easier for all of Athens residents.

“With more than 50% of the projects listed on the TSPLOST initiative earmarked for bike, bus or pedestrian projects, TSPLOST represents the greatest opportunity Athens-Clarke has ever had to address connectivity and quality-of-life issues for a large percentage of our population,” according to Complete Street Athens.

Without the SPLOST funding these projects would have to be paid for out of the general funds for transportation maintenance and rehabilitation and most of the projects on the list would be cut from the agenda if not for the special tax, according to Athens-Clarke County TSPLOST webpage.